For non-English major college students, the listening section of the College English Test Band 4 (CET-4) is both a critical and challenging component of exam preparation. Many students struggle with various difficulties during their listening practice. To address these challenges, open intelligent laboratories equipped with digital technology provide effective solutions. These laboratories offer a diverse range of listening resources, exposing students to various accents and topics, which helps them adapt to different listening styles and improve comprehension. Additionally, they provide simulated tests and interactive exercises that replicate exam conditions, allowing students to practice time management and develop effective test-taking strategies. Furthermore, artificial intelligence algorithms integrated into these labs analyze students’ strengths and weaknesses, offering personalized feedback and targeted recommendations for improvement. By leveraging smart technology in education, intelligent laboratories can significantly enhance students’ listening skills and CET-4 performance, facilitating more effective learning and advancing educational practices. This paper examines the primary challenges students face in CET-4 listening preparation and explores how digital tools in open intelligent laboratories can be utilized to develop effective preparation strategies.